*** Tech: Lays down layers of powder and "prints" the design using a glue-like binder.

*** Tech: Lays down layers of powder and "prints" the design using a glue-like binder.

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*** Advantages: Can do colour. Model structures are self-supporting via unused powder. "Green" parts can be infused with materials from glue to molten metal to strengthen. Unused powder can be reused.

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*** Advantages:

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*** Disadvantages: "Green" parts are fragile. Hollow parts will trap binder if no exit holes are designed in. Fabricated objects may be difficult or impossible to recycle back into machine inputs.

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**** Can do colour.

+

**** Model structures are self-supporting via unused powder.

+

**** "Green" parts can be infused with materials from glue to molten metal to strengthen.

+

**** Unused powder can be reused.

+

*** Disadvantages:

+

**** "Green" parts are fragile.

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**** Hollow parts will trap binder if no exit holes are designed in.

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**** Fabricated objects may be difficult or impossible to recycle back into machine inputs.

** Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

** Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

*** Cost: Low

*** Cost: Low

*** Tech: An extruder head deposits melted material (like plastic) or pastes to build up an object layer-by-layer.

*** Tech: An extruder head deposits melted material (like plastic) or pastes to build up an object layer-by-layer.

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*** Advantages: Cheap. Can be completely hollow and air-tight. Can be vestment-cast with molten metal. Simple machine design. For thermoplastic and similar materials, fabricated objects can be melted back down and reused.